Shifting fulcrum teeter board



Feb. 7, 1961 G. R. LANMAN 2,970,837

SHIFTING FULCRUM TEETER BOARD Filed May 22, 1957 IN VENTOR. 60 A. Lanman ATTD RN EYS SHIFTING FULQRUM TEETER BEARD Guy R. Lanman, 523 S. Hadden, El Reno, Okla.

Filed May 22, 1957, Ser. No. 660,936

2 Ciaims. (Ci. 272-545) This invention relates to an amusement device, and more particularly to a teeter board or see saw.

This invention is an improvement over the amusement devices shown and described in my prior Patents Nos. 2,415,639 and 2,236,409.

The object of the invention is to provide a teeter board or see saw which includes an automatic brake as well as a positive stop mechanism which insures that the users of the device will be stopped smoothly and positively so that the players will not get hurt or injured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a teeter board or see saw which includes a spring triggered brake stop in connection with a shifting fulcrum so thatthe danger of sudden jarring in teetering is eliminated or prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a teeter or see saw which includes an improved brake mechanism so that the end of the board is prevented from touching the ground, and whereby the board or amusement device includes a fulcrum which shifts or changes position so as to increase the efficiency of the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device which is constructed so that one player is able to play on the board by adding a weight or weights to the other end of the board, and this weight or weights has about the same weight of the player who is using the board and wherein the action of the board will not be slowed up and wherein the board will still retain the safety features so as to stop in the event that the weight suddenly falls off since there is provided a positive stop which will keep the board from hitting the ground in play.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device which has a changing fulcrum so that the child on the up end travels further than the child does on a regular fulcrum board and wherein the child mounts the board at a lower level, the changing fulcrum giving the up player added leverage for the start down.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shifting fulcrum teeter board which has a quick action and which is safe to use and which will not readily get out of order during use by children.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shifting fulcrum teeter board which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the amusement device, constructed according to the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the amusement device of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure l, but showing the parts in shifted or adjusted position.

atent f 2,970,837 nherited .Feio. 7, 1 961 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line. 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a shield.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a beam of board, while the numerals 11 indicate each of a pair of verticallydisposed standards or legs. Extending between the upper ends of the standards 11 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, is a tubular axle 12, Figure 3, and supported by the axle 12 is a stop bar 13 which includes a pair of angularly arranged portions 14. The ends of the portions ldextend outwardly beyond the axle 12 for a purpose to be later described. The beam 10 is arranged below a main board 7, and straps 9 serve to connect the main board 7and beam 10 together, the straps 9 being securedin place by suitable securing elements such as bolts or screws 8, Figure '1.

Secured to the under surface of the beam ltl'isa plurality of spaced apart plates 15, and these plates 15 may be secured to the beam it) in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of bolt and nut assemblies 16. The plates 15 are arranged in pairs, and extending between each pair of plates 15 is a cross piece 17. A pair of J-shaped bars or rods 18 are supported by each crosspiece 17. A housing 19 includes a curved wall member 6 which has a portion thereof extending beneath the axle 12, and the ends of the wall member 6 are shaped to define flat portions or flanges 20 which are secured to the under surface of the beam it in any suitable manner, as for example by means of securing elements such as screws 21.

Mounted on the outer portion or surface of the axle 12 is a brake assembly which includes a brake lining 22 and a brake band 23. Spaced apart ears 24 extend outwardly from the ends of the brake band 23 and are secured thereto, and links 25 each have an end engaging a corresponding ear 24. There is further provided a pair of spaced apart levers'which are indicated generally by the numeral 26, and the levers 26 each include portions 27 into which engage the links 25. Each lever 26 further includes a widened portion 23 and a portion 29 of reduced size.

Positioned below the beam It) is a rectangular open bearing frame which is indicated generally by the numeral 3t), and the frame 36 includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side pieces 31 which are connected to the end pieces 32 in any suitable manner, as for example by welding. interposed between the pair of side pieces 31 is a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel bars 33, and the bars 33 are secured to the end pieces 32. Pivot pins 34 pivotally connect the wide portions 28 of the levers 26 to the bars 33.

Mounted on the axle 12 is a saddle which is indicated generally by the numeral 35, and the saddle 35 includes an intermediate enlarged portion 36 and reduced diameter end portions 37. Extending upwardly from the end portions 37 and secured thereto or formed integraltherewith, is a pair of spaced apart guide members 38,'Figure 4. A coil spring 39 is arranged in engagement with each side member 33, and the coil springs 39 have their upper endsseated in recesses 5d which are arranged in the bottom of the beam in.

Positioned beneath the beam 16 is a U-shaped yoke 41 which is connected to the beam 10 through the medium of a securing element such as the bolt 42. A nut 43 on the upper end of the bolt 42 seats in a recess: 44 which is arranged in the upper surface of the beam 10. The reduced end portions 29 of the levers 26 project'into the interior of the U-shaped' yoke 41. A pin 45 is carried by the yoke 41 and extends beneath the portions 29-01% the levers 26. Lugs 46 on the saddle 35, are mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the projecting end portions of the bar 13.

There is further provided shields 47, Figure 5, and the shields 47 are held in place by retaining clips 48. Each shield 47 has an opening 49 therein for the projection therethrough of the axle 12. The apparatus further includes L-shaped bars 50 which are secured to the beam in, any suitable manner, as for example by means of screws 51, and there is also provided hearing caps which are indicated by the numeral 52.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a changing fulcrum type of amusement device and if desired one child can use the device by mounting a weight on the vacant end of the main board 7. Also, the child will be able to travel further than has been possible with previous devices, and there is also provided the spring triggered brake stop, and the spring triggered brake stop in connection with the shifting fulcrum adds to the safety of the device since it will help eliminate the danger of sudden jarring which is very prevalent in teetering and this combination also speeds the action of the board greatly. The springs 39 also serve to provide the board with a certain amount of cushioning effect. The weight, when arranged on an end of the board, will not slow the action of the board in use. Also, either one weight can be used or several smaller weights can be used whereby small players can readily position the weight on the board 7.

Therefore, it will be seen that there has been provided a safety teeter which cannot only be used by two players, but can also be used by one player when using a balancing weight and a single player can gain all of the zip and pleasure obtained when two players are teetering. The balancing weight on the opposite end of the board 7 takes the place of another player as the weight is preferably about the same weight as the player on the other end. In the event that the weight accidentally falls off, the board automatically stops at once. The axle of the changing fulcrum teeter totter of the present invention may be installed closer to the ground than a fixed fulcrum teeter totter and it will still provide equal travel due to the use of the principle of the changing fulcrum and the positive stop combination. Advantages of a lower board are as follows: One, players can mount the board at a lower position so that the device is safer, and secondly the device is cheaper to build because of shorter legs, and third, the device is easier to ship because of the shorter legs and lighter weight.

Also, the device is constructed so that there will be a safe smooth positive stop each time the board comes to the ground and the combination of the spring triggered brake and the positive stop causes the board to stop smoothly when it comes to the pre-set stopping position at the end of the vertical travel, without interfering with the spring triggered brake which stops the board quickly, should one of the players suddenly get off the board. Thus, in addition to being a safety teeter totter, due to the combination of the spring triggered brake and the positive stop, the device also provides a much smoother stop at the end of each vertical travel since the brake takes hold first loosely, then to full force just as soon as the flanges 46 hit the positive stop members 14 so as to cause a cushioned, positive stop to take place and this keeps the down player from bumping the ground and endangering his or her feet and legs.

The saddle 35 is secured as by Welding to the bearing frame 30. The flanges 46 are formed integral with or secured to the saddle 35, and the links 25 are full floating and are not secured to any other parts. The member 23 is separate from the saddle 35 and is arranged within the saddle 35, the member 23 being a brake band. The pin 45 is arranged in the yoke 41 and serves to lift the ends of the brake lever 26 when the brake is applied. The elements 15, 17, and 18 may be made in one piece or may be rigidly secured together.

The beam 10 only moves across the top of the axle 12 in a rocking action. Since the J bars 18 are secured to the beam 10, and since the'vertical portion of the J bars fit loosely in the main bearing frame 30 between and on top of the bars 32, the beam 10 can only move endwise. The full amount of the tilt occurs when the elements 15 are down on top of the end pieces 32 and the hook portions of the bars 18 are up against the bottom of the portions or pieces 32.

An important feature of the present invention is that when the main bearing flanges 46 strike or engage the stop members 14, the main bearing frame 30 is stopped. Then, the momentum of the travel of the board causes the top player or weight to continue in an upward direction and the weight of the equipment now rests on the new fulcrum which is defined by elements 15 over the end piece 32 and this has changed the fulcrum from the axle 12 to the end piece 32. The flanges 46 are a continuation of the saddle 35.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a teeter board or see saw which is an improvement over the devices shown in my prior Patents No. 2,415,639 and No. 2,236,409. In use, the players or users are adapted to set on the ends of the beam or board 7 so that the board 7 will move back and forth and due to the provision of the brake and fulcrum arrangement of the present invention, the ends of the board 7 will not strike the ground so that'injury to the users will be prevented. The amusement device of the present invention is in the nature of a teeter or see saw and it combines the automatic brake and positive stop which insure that when the positive stop is contacted, the brake will be automatically and immediately triggered into use to thereby provide a smooth, sure and positive stop.

With the present invention, at the end of each downward movement the player is stopped smoothly by the brake and the end of the board cannot touch the ground due to the provision of the positive stop. Furthermore, because of this action the fulcrum of the board is changed from the regular axle position as shown in Figure 3 to the end of the main bearing frame 30 which is the frame end piece 32 as shown in Figure 1 and this gives the player a smoother operation as well as the added advantage in weight as well as a further distance of travel so as to provide a more pleasing n'de. Thus, the principle of shifting fulcrurns permits the board to be installed closer to the ground in a fixed fulcrum type of teeter board and yet the device of the present invention still has as much vertical travel at both ends of the board as a single fulcrum teeter board. a

The teeter board of the present invention is faster moving than a single fulcrum teeter because the player on an end thereof has the advantage of greater leverage as the fulcrum shifts to the bars or end pieces 32 on the down end.

The springs 39 serve to trigger the brake mechanism by lifting the vacant end of the board when one player suddenly jumps off. In practice, should one of the players jump off, the occupied end of the board drops an almost inappreciable distance before the springs 39 lift the vacated end of the board and this causes the yoke 41 to be raised which triggers the brake levers 26 to apply the brake. The weight of the remaining player causes the brake to be fully applied as the board now rocks over the new fulcrum which is the elements 15 over the end of the end piece 32.

The operation of the device is as follows: In ordinary play, two players are playing on the board, or one player and a weight are arranged on the board 7, and the device moves up and down in the ordinary see saw way. Now, as the weight or player on the down end of the board reaches the lower part of the travel the flanges 46 contact the stop 14 so that the travel of the main bearing 30 is stopped. When the bearing 30 stops, the end of the board going up starts to raise since the bars 18 set loosely on the end pieces 32 of the main frame. Since the bearing cannot move, the fulcrum has changed to the down end of the bearing or the end piece 32 and the elements so that the elements 15 continue to rock over the new fulcrum 32. The new fulcrum is the bottom of the elements 15 on top of the end pieces 32. As this rocking continues, the yoke 41 in the center of the board lifts the end of the brake levers and applies the brake. Thus, the board will stop without the sudden jar that a positive stop without a brake set-up would cause. The brake is so adjusted so as to give a slow acting stop and it does not grab but yields at first so as to provide a milder stopping effect. Since the bearing has stopped, the player on the top end or up end has gone slightly higher in his rocking over the new fulcrum, and the player on the down end has gone almost as much lower as the other one went higher. Thus, the players have traveled further on this board than could be done on a fixed fulcrum board. The substitution of the weight, in no way changes the operation of the board.

The saddle 35 has a semi-cylindrical shape and includes the enlarged center portion 36. The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shipes and sizes. The saddle 35 forms center bearings for the frame 30, and the bars 31 and 33 are welded to the saddle 35. The flanges 46 extend out from the ends or corners of the saddle 35 and these serve to engage the positive stop 14 so as to stop the travel of the bearing on the axle. The ends of the bearing cap 52 are secured to the saddle 35. The reduced diameter portions 37 of the saddle 35 constitute bearings which work on the axle 12. The larger section 35 of the saddle 35 works over the brake band. The board 7 may be provided with suitable handles for the players to hold on to. The players sit on the main board 7. Positive stop shims are adapted to be mounted on the members 14so that the amount of travel of the board can be regulated by varying the size or number of the shims. Thus, the positive stop shims can be used to regulate the distance that the board stops from the ground and such shims may be secured to the upper portion of the stop 14 whereby the flanges 46 will engage or hit the top of the shims to stop the travel of the main bearing on the axle. The shield 47 is held in place by means of the clips 48. The angles 50 fit against the outside of the shield 47 as shown in the drawings. As previously stated, when one child wishes to play alone on the teeter totter, a weight which is about equal to the weight of the one wishing to play is fastened to the opposite end of the board so that the lone player can operate the board as easily as though another player was on the board due to the provision of the changing fulcrum principle previously described. The weight can be a sandbag, or several sandbags or weights of which the combined weight is about equal to the weight of the other player. The angles 50 serveto hold the shield 47 and housing 6 in place against the beam 19. The guide members 38 serve to hold the springs 39 in their proper position and they also are hollow whereby they can be used as oil cups to lubricate the main bearing frame 30 as well as the axle 12. The springs 39 are used to lift the vacant end of the board when one player gets off, and the lifting of one end of the board causes the yoke 41 to raise the portion 29 of the brake levers so as to apply the brake sufiiciently to cause it to drag or grab. Then, as the weight of the other player causes the element 15 to continue to rock over the new fulcrum 32, the yoke which is fastened to the beam 10 continues tolift the levers until the brake comes in full action and stops the travel of the bearing on the axle and this causes the player left on the board to be safely stopped.

The housing 6 is of sufficient size to clear the various parts as the J bars 18 rock on the end pieces 32. The end portions 14 of the bars 13 serve to stop the travel of the main hearing at a given position and also serve to keep the brake band 23 in its proper place on the axle and also serves to ride loosely against the lower bearing caps 48 which keep the main bearing in its proper place. The brake band 23 is kept in its proper position on the axle 12 by the extending stop members 14.

The above description of the invention is for illustrative purposes only and it is understood that modifications may be made in the construction within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising a main board, a beam arranged below said main board and connected thereto, a tubular axle arranged below said beam, a stop bar extending through said axle and including portions having ends projecting beyond said axle, plates secured to the under surface of said beam and said plates being arranged in pairs, a cross-piece extending between each pair of plates and secured thereto, rods depending from said crosspieces, a brake assembly arranged on the outer portion of said axle and embodying a brake lining and a brake band, spaced apart ears extending outwardly from the ends of said brake band and secured thereto, links engaging said ears, levers each including portions which are engaged by said links, a bearing frame positioned below said beam and adapted to be selectively engaged by the lower portions of said rods, bars secured to said bearing frame, pivot pins pivotally connecting said levers to said last named bars, a saddle secured to said frame and mounted on said axle, coil springs mounted on the end portions of said saddle, a yoke positioned below said beam and connected thereto, end portions of said levers projecting into said yoke, 21 pin carried by said yoke and projecting beneath the portions of the levers therein, and lugs on said saddle mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the projecting end portions of said stop bar. 7

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said device can be used by only one player by positioning a weight on the opposite end of the board from the one player.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

